Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Paying My Library Dues

When I was sixteen, I stole a biography of T. E. Lawrence [of Arabia] from the downtown Denver Public Library. Ever after I felt guilty, but didn't do anything about it---me, a librarian for a dozen years!

Last year I finally sent a $25 check and a note to the library, explaining. I acknowledged it probably wasn't even enough money to replace the book at today's prices, but I wanted to make the gesture.

I didn't hear back and figured maybe they thought it was an insufficient gesture.

Then, six months later, I got a Denver Library mailing: they had signed me up as a Friend of the library!

And so I am---it sometimes surprises me that free public libraries have survived, these testaments to the common good.
So when I saw on Orange Crate Art the idea of donating to the Ferguson Library, I was moved to send a check to...


Ferguson Municipal Public Library
35 North Florissant Road
Ferguson, MO 63135


In the memo line, I wrote Civilization.

2 comments:

Zhoen said...

Good for you! Libraries are the best.

bink said...

thanks for posting the address.